Integrated simulation of systems operation (Task 2.4)

The operation strategies of hydropower plants will change with the nuclear phase out and the growth of variable renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaics. An integrated model that considers both the hydrological regime and the hydro plant operation will be used to generate optimal operation strategies under different scenarios. The economic viability and the impact on ecology will be evaluated.

Current Projects

Assessment of climate change impacts on hydrology and hydropower operation under business-as-usual production targets

We use a set of stochastically downscaled climate scenarios to quantify the changes in future water availability and to test the sustainability of current HP system operation in terms of production and revenue. This activity links to Task 2.1 of the SCCER-SoE.
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Identification of current hydropower system operation and design of future optimal operating policies under changed water availability and energy market conditions (price and demand)

We use both data mining and optimization techniques to design alternative HP systems’ operations to fulfil production requirements, HP production profitability and reliability. This activity links to Task 2.2 of the SCCER-SoE.
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Assessment of different hydropower system operation operating policies on natural water bodies and ecosystems

We analyse the effects of different HP systems’ operations and current environmental protection policies (e.g., Minimum Environmental Flow) on power production and ecosystems and we assess how different measures can affect the HP and natural system performances. This activity links to Task 2.4 of the SCCER-SoE and to the NRP 70 funded project “HydroEnv”.
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Assessment of hydrological dam safety under climate change forcing

We use a set of stochastically downscaled precipitation and temperature scenarios (both for control and transient climate) to analyse changes in the frequency of peak flow, flood volumes, and flood duration to derive marginal and joint future probability distributions, which are used to test the reservoir spillway design flood. This activity links to Work Package 4 of the SCCER-SoE.
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Learn more

Hydropower Overview (Work Package 2)

Morpho-climatic controls (Task 2.1)

Infrastructure adaption (Task 2.2)

Environmental impacts of future operating conditions (Task 2.3)